About

Are you already involved in a science, art, or cultural history, project about the tributaries of the Park River watershed ? If so, or if you are interested in hosting a special presentation or volunteer service project, please contact:
Mary Pelletier
MaryP (insert “at” symbol) parkwatershed.org

In April 2012 Park River Watershed Revitalization Initiative became Park Watershed, Inc. Park Watershed is recognized as tax-exempt under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. The aim of this emerging watershed stewardship organization is to purse the following mission:

Through community engagement, scientific research and ecological revitalization, Park Watershed Inc., cultivates clean water and healthy urban environments within the municipalities of the Park River regional watershed. Community engagement includes educational programs in science, arts and cultural heritage, as well as environmental justice issues. Ecological revitalization involves habitat assessment and restoration, land conservation, green infrastructure design and transportation planning that will ensure civic responsibility for local water quality.

We are a “start-up” willing to address 21st century environmental issues. We welcome others to our diverse urban watershed stewardship network that includes teachers, artists, engineers, homeowners, students, lawyers, scientists, historians, and persons fascinated with local landscapes and water courses. Through project work, such as building rain gardens, we raise awareness about the benefits of green infrastructure, and demonstrate ways in which citizens can create healthy, beautiful natural places within urban areas.

All waterways in West Hartford, as well as waterways in most of Newington, New Britain, Bloomfield, Hartford, and parts of Wethersfield flow into the Park River regional watershed, which flows directly into the Connecticut River. Although development has damaged the natural connectivity of the watershed scientific research reveals that open space fragments can provide ecosystem service benefits as well as habitat for vital wildlife and migratory birds.

The concept of Park Watershed emerged during research on urban watersheds conducted by The Ecological Cities that was funded by a National Science Foundation grant. The original website was funded by a 2004 grant award from the Watershed Assistance Small Grants program conducted in association with the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.

The Park River Watershed Revitalization Initiative became a project of the The Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) in 2005. The Park and Farmington River regional watersheds meet along the Metacomet Ridge. Drinking water for residents of the Park River watershed is drawn from MDC reservoirs located in the Farmington River watershed. These watersheds overlap across seven municipalities, and so are shaped by similar local land use policies.

Densely developed, the Park River watershed is a rich, urban-suburban confluence of diverse cultures, history, politics, businesses, and arts. 21st century environmental progress depends upon revitalization of urban watersheds to ensure high-performance landscapes that provide ecosystem service benefits, and healthy environments that can meet the needs of our increasing population.

Contact us to learn more about how to become involved with the evolution of Park Watershed, Inc, and the North Park Plan implementation project. Simply translate the email code copied below:
maryp (insert “at” symbol) parkwatershed.org